Amusement device



Sept. 26, 1939. w. A; ETTER AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed March 21, 1938 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMUSEMENT DEVICE William A. Etter, El Paso, Tex.

Application March 21 i 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an amusement device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device embodying a dial, and a hand movable over the dial upon interception of light rays by the hand of an operator. The device is particularly applicable to business places, such as stores, and will serve not only as an amusement for customers, but may at the discretion of the proprietors of such business places have certain marks on the dial which upon stopping of the hand at any one thereof will entitle the operator to a free soda or other merchandise carried by the particular proprietor.

Thus, by the provision of the lucky marks on the dial, the device is not only amusing, due to the peculiar character of operation thereof, but possesses also an element of chance whereby it is particularly enticing to all who come within its range.

While the repeated playing of this device may require the proprietor to give away considerable merchandise, nevertheless he will be amply repaid in securing new customers as well as retaining his old customers, as this device while being of an amusing character will also in fact be a merchandising device or business getter.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an amusement device comprising a dial having certain merchandise winning marks thereon, and a hand movable over the dial upon interception of light rays by the hand of an operator.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above-noted character which is capable of displaying interchangeable advertising matter whereby the proprietor may keep the public informed of his line of merchandisc.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an amusing and advertising device which is simple in construction, neat in appear ance, and'which is capable of manufacture and sale at relatively low cost.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the im- 50 proved device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation with the back cover and front top and bottom panels removed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantially in a plane as represented by line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

, 1938, Serial No. 197,259

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections between the various operating elements.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, and wherein like characters designate like parts, C designates the casing or cabinet which supports the various operating elements hereinafter specifically referred to.

The casing, while not necessarily so, nevertheless is preferably constructed from sheet steel which is finished in baked enamel of any desired color. The casing embodies a front wall Ill having dial card receiving and supporting slots H at the bottom and opposite sides thereof. The casing also embodies a rear wall I 2 which is inset from marginal attaching flanges clearly indicated in Fig. 2 and which includes top and bottom flanges l3 and opposite side flanges M.

The rear wall is recessed inwardly by walls l5, thus providing a recess l6 extending to the front wall Ill. The rear wall l2 at the bottom thereof is provided with a rectangular aperture I! which is covered by a heat escape casing i8 and surrounding the aperture Il opposite the casing 18 is a light receptacle l9 detachably supporting a light housing 20 which is provided with a ground glass panel 2|.

A rear cover 22 is detachably secured by any suitable means to the marginal flanges l3 and M, the cover affording access to the interior of the cabinet for mounting, dismounting, interchanging or adjusting the operating elements later described.

Suitably secured to the inner surface of the front wall I0 through appropriate insulating bases are a motor M, rectifier R, power relay P. R. and miniature relay M. R.

The motor M has the shaft 24 thereof extending through but not beyond the front surface of the front wall I 0 and is preferably of angular cross section for detachably receiving and driving the hand 25 which is movable over the dial card 26, which card is removably supported by slots ll. Detachably connected with the front of the casing is a beveled frame 21 provided with a glass panel 28 which encloses the dial card and hand, but permits unrestricted vision thereof.

The dial card is provided with suitable marks as indicated at 29, 30 and 3|, and the card may be lettered adjacent such marks to indicate the particular prize or merchandise to be given when the hand 25 stops at any of the respective lucky points. The card may also be appropriately lettered to attract players or advertise certain merchandise being sold.

A panel 32 is detachably secured to the top of casing C which not only provides an attractive appearance but is appropriately suited for the name of the device or any desired advertising matter.

A similar panel 33 is detachably secured to the bottom of the casing C and which is appropriately suited for printed instructions for operating the device.

The panel33 also provides a housing for a photoelectric cell P, as indicated in Fig. 3, the photoelectric cell being disposed opposite a light L detachably supported in the receptacle I9, the housing 20 and panel 33 being in such spaced relation as to provide for the insertion of the hand between the light and photo-electric cell in a manner more fully hereinafter described.

The rectifier R is constructed for converting volt alternating current into 6 volt direct current and the operating elements, including the rectifier, are in circuit as indicated in Fig. 4 wherein the rectifier R is connected with the power relay P. R. by conductor 35, and to the miniature relay M. R. by conductor 35. The two relays are interconnected by the conductor 31 and the power relay P. R. is connected with the motor M by conductors 38 and 39.

The photo-electric cell P is connected with the miniature relay M, R. by conductor lil and with the conductor 36 by the conductor 4|.

The light L may be in electrical circuit with any desired or appropriate source.

The operation of the device as above described is as follows:

The casing or cabinet having the various cooperating devices carried thereby is suspended on a wall or other suitable support at such distance from the fioor that it is easily accessible to children as well as to adults. The light L should be plugged in at all times, and the relays are so adjusted that the light rays traversing the space s between panel 33 and housing 20 and playing on the photo-electric cell P, the power relay P. R. will not operate the motor M. When, however, the hand or other opaque object is inserted in the space 8 intercepting the light rays, the miniature relay M. R. will become operative and, through the above described electrical connections, the motor M will be set into operation, thus causing the hand 25 to spin over the surface of the dial card 26. It is to be here noted that the heat escape casing I8 which is open at its top allows heat from lamp L to escape into the interior of the casing C, thus minimizing the danger of discomfort to the operators hand. The light rays are confined to an area as deter mined by the ground glass panel 2! in the housing 2!; and upon interception of such rays as indicated by the dotted line H in Fig. 4, the device will be immediately set into operation.

While operation of devices by means of photoelectric cells is recognized as not being new, an amusement or merchandising device of the character herein disclosed operated by such means will be somewhat of a mystery to most people, which will result in its being inspected and played by all who see it and all who are told about it by those who have already amused themselves with the device.

Thus, the device will not only adequately serve to amuse people but will, due to its mystifying character, tend to draw people to its place of installation, thereby further serving as a material aid to business as the device will creat a spirit of good will between those who amuse themselves with it and the proprietor thereof and will result in an increased number of customers and sales.

The device is attractive in appearance, is durable and positive of operation, and is one which can be operated by anyone, including children.

While I have disclosed but a single specific embodiment of my invention, such is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. An amusement device comprising a casing or cabinet having front and rear walls, a dial supported by the front face of the front wall, a hand pivotally supported by the front wall and movable over the dial, the front and rear walls being in substantial spaced relation with the rear wall recessed inwardly toward the front wall for receiving electric circuit control and hand operating means, a light supporting housing between the front and rear walls adjacent the bottoms thereof and supported by the rear Wall, and a photoelectric cell supporting panel immediately below the front wall and in spaced relation to the light supporting housing providing a light intercepting space therebetween and intermediate the front and rear walls.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the rear wall is provided with a rectangular aperture which is surrounded by said light supporting housing on the inner face of the wall, and a heat escape casing surrounding the aperture opposite the light supporting housing on the outer face of the wall.

3. An amusement device comprising a casing or cabinet having front and rear walls, a dial supported by the front face of the front wall, a hand pivotally supported by the front wall and movable over the dial, a light supporting housing between the front and rear walls adjacent the bottoms thereof, a photoelectric cell supporting panel in spaced relation to the light supporting housing Y for providing a light intercepting space therebetween, and a recess between the front and rear walls for receiving electric circuit control and hand operating means, said recess being defined by the front wall and upper and lower horizontal walls disposed between the front and rear walls, and said light supporting housing being disposed immediately below the lower horizontal wall.

WILLIAM A. ETTER. 

